Awesome to start the season with back to back races!!!
Teams pack up and fly to Malaysia and a lot to absorb and analyze all the data and information even the race tires are still warm.

Sepang will be the first test for the McLarens and see how they perform in genuine race track with long straights and combinations of sweeping and tight corners. But seemed like they finally have a competitive and strong car to start the season since 2008.

Don't forget the Mercedes, with their DRS-activated-F-Duct, will be very beneficial on long straights in Malaysia and China the race after. Without reliability issues and keep out of trouble, the Silver Arrow might be on the podium and put up a fight.

Red Bull's race pace seemed better than their qualifying pace. But of course they are not as "dominate" as the RB7. Their development from now on and the brain of Adrian Newey will put the RB8 up on the top of podium for sure!

yeah, but he still couldn't get around Vettel with use of KERS and DRS there at the end. I can understand his disappointment with the pole and falling to 3rd, but it is what it is.

I'm very interested to see what Mercedes can do with these long back to back straights!!
Did we ever get an answer (or did anyone even protest) on the "F-Duct" if it's driver operated or not? *I* don't think it is, but it's an interesting concept

Charlie Whiting confirmed that it is not driver operated. That's not what the controversy is about, in any case.

Sorry all I have in Korea is Star Sports channel and they're effing terrible. lol

My mistake, looks like you're right. Apparently, the issue is that the system is activated when they press the DRS button, which Red Bull and other teams claim is proof that it is a driver-controlled device. But on Saturday, Charlie Whiting said pretty clearly that the system was completely as per the sporting regulations. So...who knows?

Charlie Whiting confirmed that it is not driver operated. That's not what the controversy is about, in any case.

It was technically legal because FIA allows the driver to operate DRS, thus allow additional airflow for Mercedes F-Duct enhancing the effect.
So in essence, FIA cannot ban Mercedes to use DRS because they made it work better than others.

Also take a look at SKY Sports F1 Show, the one previews the 2012 season. Ted Kravis had an analysis of McLaren's Exhaust. Even it looked the exhaust pipe pointing towards outwards of the chassis. But the shape of the sidepod creates an inward flow of air mass and pushes the exhaust gas back to the diffusor/rear wing region. Thus salvage 20-30% (not accurate figure) of the downforce created by the exhaust.

It was technically legal because FIA allows the driver to operate DRS, thus allow additional airflow for Mercedes F-Duct enhancing the effect.
So in essence, FIA cannot ban Mercedes to use DRS because they made it work better than others.

Also take a look at SKY Sports F1 Show, the one previews the 2012 season. Ted Kravis had an analysis of McLaren's Exhaust. Even it looked the exhaust pipe pointing towards outwards of the chassis. But the shape of the sidepod creates an inward flow of air mass and pushes the exhaust gas back to the diffusor/rear wing region. Thus salvage 20-30% (not accurate figure) of the downforce created by the exhaust.

It was technically legal because FIA allows the driver to operate DRS, thus allow additional airflow for Mercedes F-Duct enhancing the effect.
So in essence, FIA cannot ban Mercedes to use DRS because they made it work better than others.

Also take a look at SKY Sports F1 Show, the one previews the 2012 season. Ted Kravis had an analysis of McLaren's Exhaust. Even it looked the exhaust pipe pointing towards outwards of the chassis. But the shape of the sidepod creates an inward flow of air mass and pushes the exhaust gas back to the diffusor/rear wing region. Thus salvage 20-30% (not accurate figure) of the downforce created by the exhaust.

Thanks for this .

Is this the same exhaust system that Ferrari were toying with over testing and decided to shelve for the time being?

PS - can't believe we're already on our way to the second grand prix - this is going to be a packed season!!